Thank you for stopping by the Weather Watch 12 blog! After a dreary week filled with clouds, on and off showers and cool temperatures...a summery feel is looming. In today's blog we look ahead to when high temperatures may reach the 70s and 80s.

Just a reminder that I love to tweet about the weather throughout the day, and you can follow me @jnelsonweatherto share your weather reports and photos.

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Today's blog is a follow up to the long range forecast blog that discussed weather conditions expected for May and parts of June and July. You can read that blog by clicking here.

With most people needing a summery pick me up there is one in the forecast! Moving through next week one of the sharpest warm-ups in our cycling weather pattern returns. By Wednesday and Thursday of next week a warm front will begin lifting north through the Midwest. Near the front thunderstorms will be possible.

Around May 8 the front should lift north of southern Wisconsin. This will allow warm and more humid air to flow in. The result should be highs in the 70s and 80s for at least a day. Below is the GFS forecast model next Thursday showing the potential for a warm day.

Most models are not picking up on just how warm temperatures will likely be, but the GFS is showing low 70s for much of southern Wisconsin next Thursday. Winds look to turn south-southwest which should push the warm temperatures across most lakeshore locations. Like most of our warm-ups this year, it will only last a day or two in most locations.

Along the warm front and then near a cold front thunderstorms may develop. While we are still 5-6 days out, I feel that severe thunderstorms will be possible over the upper Midwest. The Storm Prediction Center is still classifying the threat as 'too low' to include it in the long range convective outlook shown below. However, I think we need to watch around May 8(give or take a day) for the possibility of strong to severe storms.

If you have been waiting for a glimmer of hope for a warm day or two, the wait is almost over!

For the latest information on your weekend forecast and the potential warm-up watch WISN 12 News.